Three Village is home to some powerhouse teams, and 2012 was a banner year for some of those teams. Here's a look back at some of the highlights.
1. The team that shocked the world. The Stony Brook University baseball team fought its way to the College World Series in Omaha during the spring of 2012, making a name for itself not just locally but nationally.
2. Pivotal moment for Stony Brook athlete. Not only did Stony Brook's star runner Lucy Van Dalen win a national championship in 2011, but she also competed in the 2012 summer Olympics representing her home country of New Zealand.
3. Ward Melville's milestone moment. The varsity football team, led by coach Rob Neugebauer, made the playoffs for the first time in more than 20 years in the fall of 2012.
4. Seawolves come up big. Speaking of football, the Stony Brook University football team had an incredible 2012 season, featuring a thrilling win over Colgate at Homecoming and then a victory over Villanova in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
5. Nationals appearance. The Ward Melville varsity cheerleaders qualified for and competed in the Universal Cheerleading Association's national competition for the first time.
6. Dunking the competition. In the fall, the Ward Melville girls' swim team won its 21st straight county championship and sent seven swimmers to the state meet.
7. Ward Melville fencing talent soars. The girls' fencing team won its 150th straight meet and senior Alexa Antipas won her second straight national title.
8. Wrestler's winning moment. Ward Melville has a state wrestling champion for the first time since 1981, after freshman Nick Piccininni wrestled four athletes to capture the state title at 106 pounds in February.
9. Revered coach will coach again. Students and parents lauded the school board's decision to reinstate Ward Melville boys' track and cross country coach Jerry Vessichio in November.
10. Killing the competition. The Ward Melville girls' volleyball team won the Class AA Long Island championship in November and traveled to compete in the state tournament.
